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NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 3, 1985 · Cessna 172 M · N5045H

Arcadia, LA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 3, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Arcadia, LA
Aircraft
Cessna 172 M
Tail Number
N5045H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW85LA304

THE PLT STATED HE HEARD A 'BOOM' AND EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 10 FT ABOVE THE RWY DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. HE WAS ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE 3000 FOOT RWY AT THIS TIME. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND LANDED. HOWEVER, HE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE ACFT UNTIL IT HAD OVERRAN THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH ABOUT 30 YARDS BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. SUBSEQUENT EXAM REVEALED THE ENG WOULD OPERATE NORMAL AT LOW RPM BUT AFTER 20 SECONDS AT TAKEOFF POWER THE FUEL MIXTURE WOULD BECOME TOO RICH AND A CONSIDERABLE DROP IN RPM WOULD OCCUR. THE CARBURETOR WAS DISASSEMBLED AND EXAMINED BUT THE CAUSE OF THE POWER REDUCTION WAS NOT NOTED. ALSO, THE CAUSE OF THE REPORTED 'BOOM' WAS NOT DETERMINED.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED HE HEARD A 'BOOM' AND EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 10 FT ABOVE THE RWY DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. HE WAS ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE 3000 FOOT RWY AT THIS TIME. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND LANDED. HOWEVER, HE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE ACFT UNTIL IT HAD OVERRAN THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH ABOUT 30 YARDS BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. SUBSEQUENT EXAM REVEALED THE ENG WOULD OPERATE NORMAL AT LOW RPM BUT AFTER 20 SECONDS AT TAKEOFF POWER THE FUEL MIXTURE WOULD BECOME TOO RICH AND A CONSIDERABLE DROP IN RPM WOULD OCCUR. THE CARBURETOR WAS DISASSEMBLED AND EXAMINED BUT THE CAUSE OF THE POWER REDUCTION WAS NOT NOTED. ALSO, THE CAUSE OF THE REPORTED 'BOOM' WAS NOT DETERMINED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:01 CDT
Nearest AirportARCADIA (0nm N)
Runway32
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 M
Tail NumberN5045H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:51
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data